Guards for hypodermic needle

ABSTRACT

Guards for preventing inadvertent contact with a hypodermic needle. Each guard has a body portion that abuts a syringe barrel and that supports a detachable or integrally formed needle cover. The body also supports a finger grip remotely to the needle cover.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part application of my applicationSer. No. 08/128,486 filed Sep. 28, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,083,for Improved Guards for Hypodermic Needles which an turn is acontinuation-in-part application of my now abandoned application Ser.No. 08/004,105 filed Jan. 13, 1993 for Improved Guards for HypodermicNeedles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to needle guards for syringes and moreparticularly to guards that protect attendants from being stuckinadvertently by a hypodermic needle attached to a syringe.

2. Description of Related Art

Medical personnel run a substantial risk of disease transmittal if theyare inadvertently stuck by a hypodermic needle after its use. Theproliferation of AIDS, hepatitis and related infectious diseasestransferred by hypodermic needles has led to the development of variousarticles for protecting healthcare workers from being stuckinadvertently. Many of these articles include guards or covers for theneedle; some attach to the syringe.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,976 to Heydrich discloses a protective device forneedles of hypodermic syringes. This device has a structure at one endfor engaging the proximal end of a syringe needle and a structure forencasing the point of the needle at the distal end. In one embodiment astructure can be disposed intermediate the ends to engage and supportthe needle. In all embodiments, spaced upper parts of an H-shapedstructure engage the syringe needle; diametrically opposed and extendingwings of that structure provide a finger grip. An attendant's fingersare brought into proximity to the needle, although not the end of theneedle. Moreover, it appears that an attendant must use two hands tohold that syringe and simultaneously operate the H-shaped structure toremove the protective device from the syringe.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,837 to Hauck discloses a device for covering ahypodermic needle in a syringe to protect persons from being scratchedthereby. The device comprises a sleeve that receives the barrel of ahypodermic syringe with an aperture at the distal end through which aneedle attached to the syringe is extensible. The aperture may besufficiently large for receiving a syringe needle cap removable attachedto the syringe for covering the needle. After use, the sleeve is pushedaxially along the barrel to cover the needle into a locking positionalong the

U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,447 to Hardcastle et al. discloses a protectivecover or sleeve for a hypodermic needle. This protective sleeve includesa formed resilient plastic body split longitudinally to form slightlygreater than a semicylinder. The body is snapped onto the barrel of ahypodermic needle before or after the needle is used. It may be slidlongitudinally over the needle to protect against accidental puncture bythe needle after the needle is used and locks into this position. Inorder to protect an attendant, the protective cover must be attached tothe syringe prior to and during its use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,020 to Kasuya discloses a guard with a finger gripthat facilitates the positioning of the guard over a needle. When theguard is positioned properly, a proximate end engages a hub and locksthe guard in place. However, a finger grip adjacent the proximal endbrings the attendant's fingers into close proximity with the needle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,356 to Smith discloses an open sleeve that attachesto a syringe body and that carries an axially movable L-shaped memberand rocker spring. When the L-shaped member moves axially to a distalposition, at the tip of the hypodermic needle, the L-shaped memberdeflects and covers the needle tip under the influence of the rockerspring. At other positions the L-shaped member rests against the side ofthe needle. This structure does not cover the needle completely so anattendant can still contact portions of the needle. The open sleeve andL-shaped member remains on the needle during use and operation requirestwo hands.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,461 to Adam discloses a needle cover that is adaptedfor one-handed operation. It has a tip portion for positive engagementwith a needle tip to hold the cover in place over a tip end portion ofthe needle. The needle cover is essentially smooth and has no fingergrips for an attendant. In use the guide slides forward or toward thedistal end of the needle to release the needle. It slides axiallyrearwardly or proximally to cover the needle or slides at a canted anglewith respect to the syringe to enable use of the syringe with the guardattached to the syringe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,249 to Deal discloses a tubular guard that slidesover the end of a hypodermic needle to engage a hub on the syringe atthe proximal end of the needle. An elongated handle terminates with anangularly disposed head member. The head member includes a cavity forreceiving and releasably engaging the syringe cap. A pair of opposedresilient clips, or alternatively, a pair of spaced apart wallsinterconnected at one end form the cavity. This structure does remove anattendant's hands from proximity to the needle. However, an attendantmust use both hands simultaneously to grip the syringe and operate thehandle.

The following patents disclose covers in which an axial body attaches toa syringe barrel or to a needle hub at the end of the barrel:

U.S. Pat. No. 2,745,403 to Goldberg discloses a disposable cartridgesuitable for containing single dosages of medicaments and the like. Thecartridge comprises an elongate, tubular body portion of substantiallyuniform bore, thickened and partially constricted near one end. Anannular groove, formed on the outer surface of the tubular body, canengage a closure collar element. An imperforate disc, adapted to beingeasily pierced by a hypodermic needle and formed of resilient, liquidimpervious material, substantially inert toward and insoluble inliquids, solvents and medicaments commonly administered by injection ispositioned normal to the axis of said tubular body portion and overlyingthe opening in the partially constricted end thereof. An essentiallycylindrical hub element having an axially located opening extendingtherethrough has a radially extending, annular flange at one end,disposed coaxially relative to the tubular body portion with its flangedend against the outside surface of said disc. Means on the hub elementengage with and support a double-pointed hypodermic needle with one endof said needle extending through the hub opening and piercing the disc.A closure collar element around the flanged end of the hub element andengaging with the annular groove formed on the tubular body end, pressesthe disc therebetween to provide a liquid-tight partial closure at theend of the cartridge. A movable piston, within the tubular body portionembraces the walls thereof to provide a liquid-tight closure at the openend of the tubular body portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,076,455 to McConnaughey et al. discloses a holder forhypodermic syringe cartridges. The holder is formed as a channel havingan opening along one side thereof through which the cartridge may besnapped into and out of the holder by lateral movement. The width of theopening is less than the maximum width of the cartridge, and the channelis formed of a stiff spring material so that the holder may be distortedmomentarily to permit the insertion and removal of the cartridge.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,443 to Permenter et al. discloses a device forsealing the tip of a syringe needle. A cap has a shank extending to amount adapted to be slidably held by a syringe barrel. The cap moves ina spring bias contact along a needle body and beyond its tip whereuponit springs into alignment with the tip. The cap can then be moved in areverse direction to seal the needle in the cap.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,746 to Dufresne discloses a needle shield that canbe attached to a syringe hub. The shield is flexible and moves out ofthe way of the needle point for insertion into the skin. The shield hasa one-piece construction and includes an elongated hood-like body thatsurrounds the needle and includes at one end a blunt front end shieldand at the other end a mounting ring for frictionally engaging the hubof the needle of the syringe. An integral lock on the body snaps overthe needle for holding the shield body over the contaminated needle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,046 to Wesson et al. discloses an elongatedcylindrical body portion with a spoon-shaped shield member. Thecylindrical body can be snapped around a syringe barrel. Thespoon-shaped member extends from the distal end of the body portion andcan deflect transversely from a non-use configuration to a slightlydeflected in use configuration to permit the needle to extend beyond thespoon-shaped member. When the body portion of the guard slides to anextended position, the spoon-shaped member returns to its undeflectedconfiguration. A plurality of ribs formed on the inner wall of thespoon-shaped member engage the needle end thereby to seal the end of theneedle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,848 to Burt et al. discloses a needle receptaclewith a sheath having a cradle portion and attached barrel. The cradleportion is open along its top portion and includes parallel spaced-apartprotective flanges. The barrel end is tapered into a needle receivingportion and includes a flared connection between the cradle and thebarrel end to serve as a guide for needles as they are inserted into thebarrel. A detent structure prevents the needle from turning.

In a medical environment, an attendant wants to keep one hand freeduring an injection process in order to maintain contact with thepatient or perform some related function. Thus, it is desirable that anattendant be able to remove and replace any needle cover with one hand.

The previously described Goldberg, McConnaughey et al., Adam andDufresne patents disclose guards for one-handed operation. However, noneof these references provides any mechanism for completely covering theneedle to minimize the transfer of disease from the needle by accidentalcontact. Moreover, the operation of the Dufresne guard brings anattendant's fingers into close proximity with the needle tip. Guardsproposed by Smith, Permenter et al. and Wesson et al. remain on thesyringe during use. The addition of this structure can complicate theinjection process. The Deal and Burt et al. patents disclose guards thatfully cover a needle, but they each require two hands for removing andreplacing the cover. The Kasuya patent discloses a cover that might beadapted for operation by one hand. However, placing the cover on theneedle brings an attendant's fingers into close proximity to the needle.

SUMMARY

Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a needle guardfor a syringe that inherently positions an attendant's fingers remotelyfrom the needle.

Another object of this invention is to provide a guard for a syringethat is easily removed from and replaced onto the needle during theinjection process.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a guard for asyringe that is detachable from the syringe.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a guard for a syringethat can be detached and replaced with one hand.

Yet still another object of this invention is to provide a guard thatprotects an attendant from disease transfer from a needle by contactwith the needle.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention, a syringe guardincludes an axially extending open channel body portion that abuts apart of a syringe barrel in a substantially coaxial relationship. Atubular guard portion extends axially from the body portion and issubstantially axially coextensive with the needle on the syringe. Asyringe engaging portion proximate the tubular guard portion enablesconnection of a syringe with the guard. A finger grip structure extendsfrom the body portion remotely from the tubular guard portion forprotecting the user from inadvertently contacting the end of the needle.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention a guard for use witha syringe includes an axially extending tongue that extends from atubular cover portion and has a circumferential cross section thatconforms to a syringe barrel. A syringe engagement structure proximatethe connection of the tubular cover and the tongue enables connection ofa syringe with the guard. The tubular cover portion is substantiallycoextensive with the needle on the syringe. A finger grip structureincludes one thin extension for being grasped by an attendant. Theseextensions extend from the guard remotely from the tubular cover therebythe user of the guard is protected from inadvertent contact with asyringe needle.

In accordance with still yet another aspect of this invention a guardfor use with a syringe includes an annular ring structure forfrictionally connecting a syringe with the guard. A tubular coverportion for being substantially axially coextensive with the needle onthe syringe and an axially extending tongue with a circumferentialcross-section conforming to the syringe barrel attach to opposed sidesof the annular ring structure. A gripping portion extends from thetongue for enabling a user to grasp and manually manipulate said guard.A pivot structure urges the guard upon placement on a horizontal surfaceinto a position with said axially extending tongue in a predeterminedorientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The appended claims particularly point out and distinctly claim thesubject matter of this invention. The various objects, advantages andnovel features of this invention will be more fully apparent from areading of the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to likeparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a guard constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an view of the guard shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 positioned forapplication on a syringe;

FIG. 5 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 in acovering position on the syringe;

FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a guard constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 on a horizontalsurface;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 positioned forapplication on a syringe with a syringe cap thereon;

FIG. 10 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 6 through 8 with thesyringe cap secured therein and the syringe positioned prior toinsertion in the guard or after extraction from the guard;

FIG. 11 is a top view of one embodiment of a guard constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 11 through 13 positionedfor application on a syringe;

FIG. 15 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 11 through 13 in acovering position on the syringe;

FIG. 16 is a top view of another embodiment of a guard constructed inaccordance with this invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18A depicts variations of the guard shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 19 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 16 through 18 positionedfor application on a syringe;

FIG. 20 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 16 through 18 in acovering position on the syringe;

FIG. 21 is a top view of still another embodiment of a guard constructedin accordance with this invention;

FIG. 22 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 21 through 23 positionedfor application on a syringe;

FIG. 25 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 21 through 23 in acovering position on the syringe;

FIG. 26 is a top view of yet another embodiment of a guard constructedin accordance with this invention;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 26 through 28 positionedfor application on a syringe with a needle cover;

FIG. 30 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 26 through 28 in aposition in which the needle cover is removed from the syringe;

FIG. 31 is a top view of yet still another embodiment of a guardconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 31 through 33 positionedfor application on a syringe with a conventional needle cover;

FIG. 35 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 31 through 33 in aposition in which it stores the cover and the syringe is removed fromthe cover;

FIG. 36 is a top view of still yet another embodiment of a guardconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 37 is a side view of the guard shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is an end view of the guard shown in FIG. 36;

FIG. 39 is a view of the guard shown in FIGS. 36 through 38 positionedfor application on a syringe with a specially formed needle cover; and

FIG. 40 is a view of the guard as shown in FIGS. 36 through 38 in aposition in which it stores the cover and the syringe is removed fromthe cover.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 through 5 disclose one embodiment of a guard for a syringe thatis constructed in accordance with this invention. As shown particularlyin FIGS. 4 and 5, a syringe 30 includes a barrel 31 and a hypodermicneedle 32 that attaches to a hub 33 formed at one end of the barrel 31that is a "distal" end. An attendant displaces a plunger 34 at a"proximal" end toward the distal end by grasping and moving the plunger34 with his or her fingers 35, as shown in FIG. 4, to inject a patient.The syringe 30 lies along a syringe axis 36.

A plastic guard 440 constructed in accordance with this embodiment byinjection or other plastic molding techniques includes a tubular cover441 that extends axially from a guard body 442 for being substantiallyaxially coextensive with the needle 32 on the syringe 30. Hub grippingmeans or portion 443 with an aperture 444 substantially centered aboutthe proximal end of the tubular cover preferably includes a plurality ofinwardly extending, resilient teeth 444 (FIG. 3). The teeth engage andfrictionally secure the hub 33 of the syringe 30 as the needle 32 isurged into the tubular cover 441.

Thus, the tubular cover 441 which has a closed end 445 covers the needle32 on the syringe, and the barrel 31 extends along a barrel receivingportion 446 of the guard body 442 which abuts a portion of and conformsto the syringe barrel 31 so it overlies a part of the syringe barrel 31.Gripping means for manual manipulation of the guard 440 comprises a gripmember 447 positioned proximate a distal end 448 of the guard body 442.The grip member 447 extends from a surface 450 of the guard bodyopposite the barrel receiving portion 446 transverse to axis of thetubular cover 441 and is adapted for enabling the user to grasp theguard 440 for insertion and extraction of the syringe 30 therefrom.

More specifically, the guard body 442 comprises an axially extending,cylindrically shaped plate or tongue member 451 having the inner surface446 and the outer surface 451. This tongue member 451 serves as part ofan open-channel body portion for abutting the syringe barrel 31 with alink portion 452 that extends axially between the tubular cover 441 andthe grip member 447 and terminates with a radially offsetting curvedportion 453 that attaches to and supports the tubular cover 441 and hubgripping portion 443. The offsetting curved portion 453 aligns thetubular cover 441 with the needle 32 when the guard body 442,particularly the tongue member 451, engages the syringe barrel 31.

The hub gripping portion 443 also constitutes an annular transitionportion that is intermediate the guard body 442 and the tubular cover441. It additionally has a radial extending pivot portion 454 that ispositioned diametrically opposite from a connection point 455 at whichthe tubular cover 441 and guard body 442 join. The center of gravity ofthe guard 440 is approximately at a position identified by referencenumeral 456 in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5. Consequently the guard 440 alwayslands in a "face up" position on a horizontal surface as shown in FIG.2. In this position the inner surface 446 is at the top of the tonguemember 451 and the grip member 447 rests on such horizontal surface. Ifthe cover were to fall in any other position, the center of gravity andpivots formed by the ends of the grip member 447 and the pivot portion454 enable the guard 440 to rotate about its longitudinal axis 457 tothe position shown in FIG. 2.

If the syringe 30 is to be used for administering medication, anattendant initially will prepare the syringe by filling the syringe 30by conventional procedures. Specifically the attendant grasps thesyringe barrel 31 or plunger 34 with his or her fingers 35 and graspsthe guard 440 by either positioning fingers 53 about the grip member 447as shown in FIG. 4 or positioning finger 53' abutting the distal side ofthe grip member 447 as shown in FIG. 5. When the attendant places theinner surface 446 of the body 442 against the syringe barrel 31, his orher fingers 53 or 53' are spaced a significant distance from the needle32, particularly its free end. This initial alignment of the syringe 30as shown in FIG. 4 therefore occurs without requiring the attendant tomove his or her fingers 53 (or 53' as seen in FIG. 5) into closeproximity with the needle 32. Although this procedure generally will beimplemented using two hands, it normally is a procedure that theattendant performs remotely from the patient, so a two-handed operationis not required.

As a next step, or an initial step if blood is to be drawn into thesyringe the attendant grasps the syringe 30 in one hand and, with thethumb or other fingers of that same hand, engages and displaces the gripmember 447 axially toward the needle 32 until the hub engaging portion443 clears the hub 33. Then the attendant can tip the syringe 30downwardly so gravity pulls the guard 440 from the needle 32.

Covering the needle 32 after use can also be accomplished with one hand.The attendant places the syringe 30 on a horizontal support surface.Then with one hand the attendant grasps the grip member 447 andpositions the guard 440 on the syringe 30 so the tubular cover 441partially encases the needle 32. Next, the attendant can lift thesyringe 30 and the guard 440 off the support surface and, grasping thesyringe 30 and the grip member 447 simultaneously, move the guard 440proximally toward the plunger until the hub engaging portion 443overlies the syringe hub 33. As an alternative, the attendant couldplace the guard 440 on the support surface and, holding the syringebarrel 31, slide the tip of the needle 32 into the tubular cover 441.Then the attendant could lift the syringe 30 and guard 440 off thesupport surface and complete the installation as previously described.

The guard 440 therefore minimizes the chances that the attendant will bestuck by a needle inadvertently during each of these operations. In eachmanner of use, the attendant's fingers are located at the grip member447 that is remote from the tubular cover 441. Thus, the attendant'sfingers are always spaced from the needle 32 by a distance equal to theaxial length of the link 452 and its radial offsetting portion 453.Moreover, the cover 441 encases the needle completely. This tubularguard 440 is detachable from the syringe 30 during an injection and theguard 40 can be removed and replaced using one hand.

FIGS. 6 through 10 disclose another embodiment of a guard for a syringe30. A plastic guard 520 is adapted to engage a standard tubular cover521 that is shipped as a protective cover for a needle 32 on a syringe30. The guard 520 includes a guard body 522, a gripping structure 523and a cover engaging section 525.

The cover engaging section 525 at the distal end of the guard body 522comprises a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 526 as shown in FIG. 8and in phantom in FIGS. 6, 9, and 10. These teeth 526 frictionallyengage the exterior surface of the tubular cover 521 that, in turn,frictionally engages the syringe hub 33. The cover engaging section 525includes a distally extending cylindrical support section 527 thatcarries the teeth 526 axially to provide sufficient friction between theguard 520 and the cover 521 to overcome the friction that exists betweenthe tubular cover 521 and the hub 33.

Still referring to FIGS. 6 through 10, a semicylindrical surface 530,formed by an elongated open channel or cradle, abuts the syringe barrel31 in a substantially coaxial relationship. The finger grip 523facilitates the attendant's ability to hold and control the guard 520and comprises a plurality of members that extend essentially transversewith respect to a guard axis 529. As particularly shown in FIGS. 9 and10, fingers 532 and 533 can grasp a gripping member 534 similar to thegripping member 447 of FIGS. 4 and 5, while, FIG. 6 depict fingers 535and 536 grasping the gripping the finger grip 523 in another manner.

A radially extending pivot portion 537 on the cover engaging portion 525extends in a direction oppositely from the gripping structure 523. Thispivot portion 537 serves the same function as the pivot portion 454 inFIGS. 1 through 5. Thus, the guard 520 with this construction has arelatively low center of gravity located below the guard axis 529 sothat the guard 520 always lands in a "face up" position on a horizontalsurface as explained with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 5and as depicted in FIG. 7. If the cover were to fall in any otherposition, the center of gravity and pivot points formed by the fingergrip 523 and the pivot portion 537 would turn the guard 520 about itslongitudinal axis 529 so that the gripping member 534 would engage thehorizontal surface with the surface 530 exposed.

To remove the cover 521, an attendant grips the finger grip 523, asdepicted in FIG. 6 or FIGS. 9 and 10 or any other convenient fashion,that extends transverse to a longitudinal axis 529 of the guard 520 fromthe proximal end of the guard body 522, and slides the guard 520 overthe tubular cover 521 from the distal end of the syringe 30. As thecover 521 is in place, this operation poses no risk to the attendant.The attendant then urges the guard 520 proximally along the syringe 30until the clasping structure 525 reaches the vicinity of the hub 33.When the attendant then grasps the finger grip 523 and urges the guard520 distally relative to the syringe 30, the guard 520 carries thetubular cover 521 off the needle 32 as shown in FIG. 10. The assembledguard 520 and cover 521 then have a configuration which is somewhatsimilar to the structure shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.

When the guard 520 and assembled cover 521 are placed on a surface, aspreviously explained, the finger grip 523 and pivot 128 assure that theguard 150 will rest with the cylindrical surface 530 is accessible. Anattendant can cover the needle 32 after use by inserting the needle 32into the tubular cover 521 or by placing the syringe 30 on a surface,grasping the combined guard 520 and cover 521 by the finger grip 523 andpartially inserting the needle 32 into the tubular cover 521. Next theattendant can lift the syringe 30 and guard 520 off a support surfaceand, grasping the syringe 30 and the finger grip 123 simultaneously,move the guard 520 proximally along the syringe barrel 31 until thetubular cover 521 fully covers the needle 32.

The guard 520 minimizes the chance that attendant will be stuck by aneedle inadvertently during each of these operations. As the guard 520is applied, the needle 32 is covered by the tubular cover 521. As thetubular cover 521 is removed and subsequently replaced with the guard521, the attendant's fingers are always spaced from the needle 32 by adistance equal to the length of the guard body 522. Finally it ispossible to remove and replace the cover 521 with one hand.

FIGS. 11 through 15 disclose still another embodiment of a plastic guard40 constructed in accordance with this embodiment by injection or otherplastic molding techniques. This guard 40 includes a tubular cover 41that extends axially from a guard body 42 for being substantiallyaxially coextensive with the needle 32 on the syringe 30. A finger grip43 extends radially from the guard body 42 to provide a structure thatan attendant can easily grab.

More specifically, the tubular cover 41 has a closed end 44. A hubgripping portion 45 at the proximal end of the tubular cover 41comprises, in this embodiment, a plurality of radially inwardlyextending teeth 46 as shown in FIG. 13. These teeth 46 frictionallyengage the hub 33 when the hub gripping portion 45 overlies the hub 33as shown in FIG. 15.

The guard body 42 comprises an axially extending, cylindrically shapedplate or member 47 with an inner surface 50 that abuts a portion of andconforms to the syringe barrel 31 so it overlies a part of the syringebarrel 31. This member 47 serves as part of an open-channel body portionfor abutting the syringe barrel 31. A link 51 extends axially betweenthe tubular cover 41 and the guard body 42 and terminates with aradially offsetting curved portion 52 that attaches to and supports thetubular guard 41 and hub engaging portion 45. The offsetting curvedportion 52 aligns the tubular cover 41 with the needle 32 when the guardbody 42, particularly the member 47, engages the syringe barrel 31.

If the syringe 30 is to be used for administering medication, anattendant initially will prepare the syringe by filling the syringe 30by conventional procedures. Specifically the attendant grasps thesyringe barrel 31 or plunger 34 with his or her fingers 35 and thefinger grip 43 with fingers 53 as shown in FIG. 14. When the attendantplaces the guard body 42 that is adjacent the finger grip 43 against thesyringe barrel 31, his or her fingers 53 are spaced a significantdistance from the needle 32, particularly its free end. This initialalignment as shown in FIG. 14 therefore occurs without requiring theattendant to move his or her fingers 43 into close proximity with theneedle 32. Although this procedure generally will be implemented usingtwo hands, it normally is a procedure that the attendant performsremotely from the patient, so a two-handed operation is not required.

As a next step, or an initial step if blood is to be drawn into thesyringe the attendant grasps the syringe 30 in one hand and, with thethumb or other fingers of that same hand, engages and displaces thefinger grip 43 axially toward the needle 32 until the hub engagingportion 45 clears the hub 33. Then the attendant can tip the syringe 30downwardly so gravity pulls the guard 40 from the needle 32.

Covering the needle 32 after use can also be accomplished with one hand.The attendant places the syringe 30 on a horizontal support surface.Then with one hand the attendant grasps the finger grip 43 and positionsthe guard 40 on the syringe 30 so the tubular cover 41 partially encasesthe needle 32. Next, the attendant can lift the syringe 30 and the guard40 off the support surface and, grasping the syringe 30 and the fingergrip 43 simultaneously, move the guard 40 proximally toward the plungeruntil the hub engaging portion 45 overlies the syringe hub 33. As analternative, the attendant could place the guard 40 on the supportsurface and, holding the syringe barrel 31, slide the tip of the needle32 into the tubular cover 41. Then the attendant could lift the syringe30 and guard 40 off the support surface and complete the installation aspreviously described.

The guard 40 therefore minimizes the chances that the attendant will bestuck by a needle inadvertently during each of these operations. Ineach, the attendant's fingers are located at the radial extension 43that is remote from the tubular cover 41. Thus, the attendant's fingersare always spaced from the needle 32 by a distance equal to the axiallength of the link 51 and its radial offsetting portion 52. Moreover,the cover 41 encases the needle completely. This tubular guard 40 isdetachable from the syringe 30 during an injection and the guard 40 canbe removed and replaced using one hand.

FIGS. 16 through 20 disclose another embodiment of a guard for a syringe30 that is constructed in accordance with another aspect of thisinvention. In this embodiment a plastic guard 60 constructed byinjection or other plastic molding techniques includes tubular cover 61that extends axially from a guard body 62 for being substantiallycoextensive with the needle 32 on the syringe 30. A finger grip 63extends essentially tangentially from the guard body 62 to provide astructure that an attendant can easily grab.

More specifically, the tubular cover 61 has a closed end 64. A hubgripping portion 65 at the proximal end of the tubular cover 61comprises, in this embodiment, a plurality of radially inwardlyextending teeth 66 shown in FIG. 18. These teeth 66 frictionally engagethe hub 33 when the hub gripping section 65 overlies the hub 33 as shownin FIG. 20.

The hub gripping portion 65 also constitutes an annular transitionportion that is intermediate the guard body 62 and the tubular cover 61.It additionally has a radial extending pivot 67 that is positioneddiametrically opposite from a connection point 68 at which the tubularcover 61 and guard body 62 join.

The guard body 62 has an inner arcuate or cylindrically shaped surface70 along an axial extension or tongue 71. The inner surface 70 isadapted to abut a portion of and conform to the syringe barrel 31 so thetongue 71 overlies a part of the syringe barrel 31. A finger grip 63facilitates the attendant's ability to grasp the guard 60. In thisparticular embodiment the finger grip 63 comprises two finger grips 72and 73 that extend essentially tangentially and transversely withrespect to the tongue 71. As particularly shown in FIG. 18, the fingers72 and 73 can be joined and shaped with a depression 74 whereupon thefingers 72 and 73 produce discrete resting points 75 and 76respectively.

FIG. 18A depicts an alternate structure for the guard 60, particularlythe finger grip 63 shown in FIG. 18. More specifically, a finger grip63A in FIG. 18A comprises two finger grips 72A and 73A that extend moreradially from the tongue 71A than tangentially and transversely as thefinger grips 72 and 73 in FIG. 18. A depression 74A between the fingers72A and 73A produces discrete resting points 75A and 76A respectively.

Either of the constructions shown in FIGS. 18 or 18A positions thecenter of gravity approximately at a position identified by referencenumeral 77 in FIGS. 17, 19 and 20. Consequently this guard 60 alwayslands in a "face up" position on a horizontal surface as shown in FIG.19. In this position the inner surface 70 is at the top of the tongue 71and the resting points 75 and 76 (or 75A and 76A) lie on a surface. Ifthe cover were to fall in any other position, the center of gravity andpivot points formed by the ends of the finger grips 72 and 73 (or 72Aand 73A) or the radial pivot 67 (or 67A in FIG. 18A) turn the guard 60about its longitudinal axis 78 to the position shown in FIG. 9.

In use an attendant will fill the syringe 30 by conventional procedures.The attendant then merely lays the guard 60 on a support surface asshown in FIG. 19. As previously indicated, regardless of how theattendant places the guard 60 on the surface, it assumes the positionshown in FIG. 19. Then the attendant can slide the needle 32 into thetubular cover 61 at the annular transition section or hub engagingsection 65. When the needle is partially or nearly fully inserted intothe tubular cover 61, the attendant can tip the syringe 30 and elevatethe needle 32. Then with one hand the attendant can grasp the syringe 30and the finger grips 72 and 73 (or 72A and 73B in FIG. 18A) and pull theguard 60 axially along the syringe barrel 31 until the hub engagingportion 65 engages the hub 33 and locks the guard 60 in place as shownin FIG. 20.

When the attendant is ready to use the syringe, the attendant grasps thesyringe 30 in one hand and, with the thumb or other fingers of that samehand, engages and displaces the finger grips 72 and 73 (or 72A and 73Ain FIG. 18A) axially toward the needle 32 until the hub engaging portion65 clears the hub 33. Then the attendant can tip the syringe 30downwardly so gravity pulls the guard 60 from the needle 32. Again, asthe guard 60 drops to a support surface, it moves into the positionshown in FIG. 19 and is positioned to be replaced on the syringe. Theprocess for replacing the guard 60 is the same as described above withrespect to covering the needle after an initial filling operation.

The guard 60 therefore minimizes the chances that the attendant will bestuck by a needle inadvertently during each of these operations. In thisparticular embodiment, the attendant's fingers are located at the fingergrips 72 and 73 (or 72A and 73A) that are remote from the tubular cover61. Thus, the attendant's fingers are always spaced from the needle 32by a distance equal to the axial length of the tongue 71. The tubularcover 61 encases the needle 32 completely. This particular embodimentalso facilitates the attachment and removal of the guard 60 with onehand, particularly as the guard 60 will always fall into a position asshown in FIG. 19 when dropped on a horizontal support. The ease ofremoval has the further benefit of detaching the guard 60 during itsuse.

FIGS. 21 through 25 disclose still another embodiment of a guard 80constructed in accordance with still another aspect of this invention.In this particular embodiment a plastic guard 80 includes a tubularcover 81 that extends axially from a guard body 82 for beingsubstantially axially coextensive with the needle 32 on the syringe 30.A finger grip structure 83 extends from the guard body 82 to provide astructure that an attendant can easily grab.

More specifically, the tubular cover 81 has a closed end 84. A hubgripping portion 85 at the proximal end of the tubular cover 81comprises, in this embodiment, a plurality of radially inwardlyextending teeth 86 as shown in FIG. 23. These teeth 86 frictionallyengage the hub 33 when the hub gripping portion 85 overlies the hub 33as shown in FIG. 15.

The tubular cover 81 and guard body 82 lie along a guard axis 87. Theguard body 82 provides an inner cylindrically shaped surface 90 as apart of an open substantially semicylindrical channel or cradle 91 thatforms around the axis 87. The inner surface 90 abuts a portion of andconforms to the syringe barrel 31 so the cradle 91 overlies a part ofthe syringe barrel 31.

The finger grip structure 83 includes two axially extending fingershields 92 and 93 extending substantially radially and transversely fromcradle 91. Each of the finger shields 92 and 93 lies along and is curvedabout an axis parallel to the guard axis 87 to form a partiallycylindrical surface that conforms somewhat to the shape of attendant'sfingers.

A thin radial finger grip 94 extends in a plane essentially normal to aplane through the finger shields 92 and 93. An arcuately formedtransverse member 95 extends transversely to the axis 87 at the distalend of the finger grip 94.

When the attendant is ready to remove the guard 80, the attendant graspsthe syringe 30 in one hand 96 as shown in FIG. 25. The attendant canthen either remove the cover 80 using his or her other hand 97 or, aspreviously described, use the thumb or other fingers on his or her hand96 to slide the guard 80 distally and axially until the hub engagingportion 85 clears the hub 33. At that point the attendant can tip thesyringe 30 downwardly so gravity pulls the guard 80 from the needle 32.

Covering the needle 32 after a filling operation or use can beaccomplished using two hands 96 and 97 as shown in FIG. 24.Alternatively, the attendant can position the guard 80 on a surface in aposition as shown in FIG. 22, and partially insert the needle 32 intothe tubular cover 81. Next the attendant can lift the syringe 30 and theguard 80 off the support surface and, grasping the syringe and thefinger grips 94 and/or 95 move the guard 80 proximally toward theplunger until the hub engaging portion 85 overlies the syringe hub 33.

The guard 80 therefore minimizes the chances that the attendant will bestuck by a needle inadvertently during each of these operations. In thisparticular embodiment, the attendant's fingers are located at the fingergrips 94 and 95 Thus, the shields 92 and 93 form a solid barrier betweenthe attendant's fingers and the needle 32. Moreover, in this particularembodiment the attachment and removal of the guard 80 to a syringe 30can be accomplished with one hand.

FIGS. 26 through 30 disclose yet another embodiment of a guard for asyringe 30. In this particular embodiment, a plastic guard 100 isadapted to engage a standard tubular cover 101 that is shipped as aprotective cover for a needle 32 on a syringe 30. In this specificembodiment, the guard 100 includes a guard body 102, a grippingstructure 103 and a cover engaging section 105.

More specifically, the cover engaging section 105 at the distal end ofthe guard body 102 comprises a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 106as shown in FIG. 28. These teeth 106 frictionally engage the exteriorsurface of the tubular cover 101. The cover engaging section 105additionally includes a distally extending cylindrical support section107 that carries the teeth 106 axially to provide sufficient frictionbetween the guard 100 and the cover 101 to overcome the friction thatexists between the tubular cover 101 and the hub 33.

The cover engaging portion 105 additionally includes a transverselyextending inverted triangular stabilizer 108 that extends in a directionoppositely from the gripping structure 103 and normal to a guard axis109. This stabilizer 108 limits rotation of the guard 100 about theguard axis 109 when it is placed on a horizontal support surface so thatan inner cylindrical surface 110 of the guard body 102 is alwaysgenerally facing in an upward direction. An open channel or cradle 111forms the surface 110 that abuts the syringe barrel 31 in asubstantially coaxial relationship.

To remove the cover 101, an attendant grips the finger grip 103, thatextends radially from the proximal end of the body 102, and slides theguard 100 over the tubular cover 101 from the distal end of the syringe.As the cover 101 is in place, this operation poses no risk to theattendant. The attendant then pulls the guard 100 proximally along thesyringe 30 until the clasping structure 105 reaches the vicinity of thehub 33.

When the attendant then grasps the finger grip 103 and slides the guard100 distally, the guard 100 carries the tubular cover 101 off the needle32 as shown in FIG. 30. The assembled guard 100 and cover 101 then havea configuration which is somewhat similar to the structure shown inFIGS. 11 through 15.

When the guard 100 and assembled cover 101 are placed on a surface, thefinger grip 103 acts as a pivot and the stabilizer 108 allows onlylimited rotation of the guard 100 about its axis 109 so the cylindricalsurface 110 is accessible. An attendant can cover the needle 32 afteruse by inserting the needle 32 into the tubular cover 101 or by placingthe syringe 30 on a surface, grasping the combined guard 100 and cover101 by the finger grip 103 and partially inserting the needle 32 intothe tubular cover 101. Next the attendant can lift the syringe 30 andguard 100 off a support surface and, grasping the syringe 30 and thefinger grip 103 simultaneously, move the guard 100 proximally along thesyringe barrel 31 until the tubular cover 101 covers the needle 32. Itis also possible to throw the syringe 30 and guard 100 away.

The guard 100 also minimizes the chance that attendant will be stuck bya needle inadvertently during each of these operations. As the guard isapplied, the needle 32 is covered by the tubular cover 101. As thetubular cover 101 is removed and subsequently replaced with the guard100, the attendant's fingers are always spaced from the needle 32 by adistance equal to the length of the guard body 102. Finally it ispossible to remove and replace the cover 101 with one hand.

FIGS. 31 through 36 disclose yet another embodiment of a guard for asyringe 30 that serves the function of the guard shown in FIGS. 26through 30 and incorporates certain features of the guard shown in FIGS.16 through 11. A plastic guard 120 is adapted to engage a standardtubular cover 121 that is shipped as a protective cover for a needle 32on a syringe 30. The guard 120 includes a guard body 122, a grippingstructure 123 and a cover engaging section 125.

The cover engaging section 125 at the distal end of the guard body 122comprises a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 126 as shown in FIG.33 and in phantom in FIGS. 34 and 25. These teeth 126 frictionallyengage the exterior surface of the tubular cover 121 that, in turn,functionally engages the syringe hub 33. The cover engaging section 125includes a distally extending cylindrical support section 127 thatcarries the teeth 126 axially to provide sufficient friction between theguard 120 and the cover 121 to overcome the friction that exists betweenthe tubular cover 121 and the hub 33.

A radially extending pivot 128 on the cover engaging portion 125 extendsin a direction oppositely from the gripping structure 123 and normal toa guard axis 129. This pivot 128 serves the same function as the pivot67 in FIGS. 16 through 11.

Still referring to FIGS. 31 through 36, a semicylindrical surface 130,formed by an elongated open channel or cradle, abuts the syringe barrel31 in a substantially coaxial relationship. The finger grip 123facilitates the attendant's ability to grasp the guard 120 and comprisestwo finger grips 132 and 133 that extend essentially radially withrespect to the guard axis 129. As particularly shown in FIG. 33, thefingers 132 and 133 join about a depression 134 and produce discreteresting points 135 and 136 respectively. With this construction, theguard 120 always lands in a "face up" position on a horizontal surfaceas shown in FIGS. 34 and 35. In this position the inner surface 130 isat the top of the cradle 131 and the resting points 135 and 136 lie on asurface. If the cover were to fall in any other position, the center ofgravity and pivot points formed by the ends of the finger grips 132 and133 and the radial pivot 128 would turn the guard 120 about itslongitudinal axis 129 to the position shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.

To remove the cover 121, an attendant grips the finger grip 123, thatextends radially from the proximal end of the body 122, and slides theguard 120 over the tubular cover 121 from the distal end of the syringe30. As the cover 121 is in place, this operation poses no risk to theattendant. The attendant then pulls the guard 120 proximally along thesyringe 30 until the clasping structure 125 reaches the vicinity of thehub 33. When the attendant then grasps the finger grip 123 and slidesthe guard 120 distally, the guard 120 carries the tubular cover 121 offthe needle 32 as shown in FIG. 35. The assembled guard 120 and cover 121then have a configuration which is somewhat similar to the structureshown in FIGS. 11 through 15 and FIGS. 16 through 20.

When the guard 120 and assembled cover 121 are placed on a surface, thefinger grip 123 and pivot 128 assure that the guard 120 will rest in theorientation shown in FIG. 35 so the cylindrical surface 130 isaccessible. An attendant can cover the needle 32 after use by insertingthe needle 32 into the tubular cover 121 or by placing the syringe 30 ona surface, grasping the combined guard 120 and cover 121 by the fingergrip 123 and partially inserting the needle 32 into the tubular cover121. Next the attendant can lift the syringe 30 and guard 120 off asupport surface and, grasping the syringe 30 and the finger grip 123simultaneously, move the guard 120 proximally along the syringe barrel31 until the tubular cover 121 fully covers the needle 32.

The guard 120 minimizes the chance that attendant will be stuck by aneedle inadvertently during each of these operations. As the guard 120is applied, the needle 32 is covered by the tubular cover 121. As thetubular cover 121 is removed and subsequently replaced with the guard121, the attendant's fingers are always spaced from the needle 32 by adistance equal to the length of the guard body 122. Finally it ispossible to remove and replace the cover 121 with one hand.

The different guards shown in FIGS. 26 through 30 and FIGS. 31 through35 rely upon the friction between two sliding surfaces to establish aconnection to a conventional needle cover and a guard. FIGS. 36 through40 depict an embodiment of a guard 140 and a specially formed needlecover 141 that provides a more positive connection.

The guard 140 includes a guard body 142, a gripping structure 143 and acover engaging section 145. The cover engaging section 145 at the distalend of the guard body 142 comprises a pair of inwardly andcircumferentially extending ribs 146. These ribs 146 have someresilience and slide over the exterior surface of the tubular cover 141.When the ribs 146 reach corresponding grooves 147 near the proximal endof the cover 141, the ribs 146 expand and snap into the grooves 147.This resulting detent action provides a positive connection andindication, by touch and sound, that the cover 141 is fully seated inthe guard 140. Subsequent distal movement of the guard 140 willnecessarily remove the cover 141 from the needle 32.

The cover engaging portion 145 includes a radially extending pivot 148that cooperates with the gripper structure 143 in the same way the pivot128 and gripping structure 123 cooperate in the embodiment of FIGS. 31through 35.

Still referring to FIGS. 36 through 40, a semicylindrical surface 150,formed by an elongated open channel or cradle 151, abuts the syringebarrel 31 in a substantially coaxial relationship. The finger gripextension 143 facilitates the attendant's ability to grasp the guard 140and comprises two finger grips 152 and 153 that extend essentiallyradially with respect to the axis 149 like the finger grips 123 in FIGS.31 through 35. The fingers 152 and 153 join to form a depression 154 anddefine resting pints 155 and 156 respectively. A pad 158 with a planarsurface provides additional stability by virtue of its surface and of aslight lowering of the center of gravity of the guard 140. Consequentlythis guard 150 also always lands in a "face up" position on a horizontalsurface as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40.

The embodiment of FIGS. 36 through 40 operates in essentially the samemanner as the embodiment of FIGS. 31 through 35 with the same resultsand advantages. The major difference is the positive connection betweenthe ribs 146 and slots 147 that is not overcome or broken unless asignificant separating force is applied. Any such force greatly exceedsthe forces that would occur during normal use.

Each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 40 therefore provide aguard that protects an attendant from being stuck inadvertently by ahypodermic needle. In each it is possible to remove and replace a needlecover with one hand. During each such operation, the attendant's fingersare kept clear of the needle 32, particularly the needle tip. In certainof the embodiments, particularly as shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 andFIGS. 16 through 40, the guards are formed to lie in a predeterminedrange of positions thereby to facilitate cover replacement.

It will also be apparent that a number of modifications can be made tothese specifically disclosed embodiments. For example, the stabilizerstructure shown in FIGS. 26 through 30 could be added to the guard shownin FIGS. 11 through 15. It will also be appreciated that the grip membershown in FIGS. 1 through 5 could be exchanged with the finger grip shownin FIGS. 6 through 10 for these embodiments. Each of these structureshas been shown as being constructed by plastic injection molding. Othermaterials and methods could be used to form each specific embodiment orvariations thereof. The structure for engaging a syringe hub or syringecap have been shown as inwardly radially extending teeth. Otherstructures could be formed to provide the frictional engagement.

It will be apparent that these and other modifications can be made tothe disclosed apparatus without departing from the invention. Therefore,it is the intent of the appended claims to cover all such variations andmodifications as come within the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A guard for use with a syringe that includes anaxially extending barrel portion, a hub portion formed at one end of thebarrel portion and means for attaching an axially extending needle tothe hub portion, said guard comprising:A. an axially extending, openchannel body portion for abutting a portion of the syringe barrelportion in a substantially coaxial relationship therewith, B. a tubularcover portion extending axially from said body portion for beingsubstantially axially coextensive with the needle on the syringe, C.syringe engagement means positioned proximate said tubular cover portionfor effecting a connection between the syringe and said guard, and! D.gripping means extending from a portion of said body portion for manualmanipulation by the user, said gripping means being remote from saidtubular cover portion thereby to protect a user from inadvertentlycontacting the needle, and E. said axially extending body portion isformed as a tongue extending from said tubular cover portion with acircumferential cross-section that conforms to the syringe barrel andwherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of thin extensions. 2.A guard as recited in claim 1 wherein said guard additionally comprisesan annular transition portion intermediate said body portion and saidtubular cover portion for gripping the syringe hub portion.
 3. A guardas recited in claim 2 wherein said annular transition section includesan extending pivot positioned diametrically opposite from the connectionof said annular transition section and said tongue, the mass of each ofsaid tubular cover, transition and body portions being selected toposition the center of gravity of said guard proximate the connection ofsaid annular transition portion and said tongue.
 4. A guard as recitedin claim 3 wherein the radius of curvature of said circumferentialsurface is greater than the radius of said tubular cover portion andwherein said thin extensions extend tangentially from said tongue.
 5. Aguard as recited in claim 3 wherein the radius of curvature of saidcircumferential surface is greater than the radius of said tubular coverportion and wherein said thin extensions extend radially from saidtongue.